SINGAPORE--Adopting a risk-based approach to tighten its security processes and procedures in Asia, has led to a "significant" payback for TNT in terms of reducing losses and winning over customers, said an executive of the logistics and courier services company.

A driving force behind the risk-based approach was the ISO 28000 certification which the company received earlier this week for its Asia-Pacific operations, Tony Lugg, TNT's regional head of security for Asia, said Wednesday at a media briefing.

The region's supply chains currently face a variety of threats, which range from natural disasters and terrorism to theft and counterfeiting. In addition, customs practices, political climate and legal and security practices vary from country to country.

The ISO 28000, Lugg added, is a "comprehensive framework" that builds upon existing certifications in use, such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) and those under the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA). According to a white paper TNT commissioned, the ISO 28000 sets the foundation for efficient compliance with other international, national or industry-based guidelines.

TNT, said Lugg, spent about nine months preparing for the certification, which is not yet widely attained by the industry. As part of the process, the company re-evaluated its systems and also performed some backend integration. TNT's customized security offerings for its customers from industries such as pharmaceuticals and high-tech, were also audited under the ISO standard.

Lugg was unable to disclose the investments that TNT made to become ISO 28000-compliant, but noted that there was a "significant spend". The investment was included in the company's refurbishment of its regional hub in Singapore to the tune of S$20 million (US$13.7 million).

Its more stringent practices have also led to "significant" returns, such as a 15 percent reduction in customer claims and 22 percent drop in the issuance of credit notes, noted Lugg. TNT has also managed to trim its claims personnel in the regional hub from eight to three.

On top of that, the company has been receiving more requests for quotations as well as seen its express flows from China to Vietnam go up "tremendously".

Lugg said this was a result of increased customer confidence in TNT's value proposition. "If you look at risks and manage them [accordingly], you [demonstrate] foresight," he said.